Man with beer in diaper bag pleads not guilty to DUI-related charges

Glendale Police Department

Mugshot of Juan Peralta.

Mugshot of Juan Peralta. (Glendale Police Department)

A 31-year-old man who police say was keeping cans of Budweiser beer in a diaper bag in his car pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday to allegedly driving his two young daughters unrestrained in car seats while under the influence of alcohol.

The man, Juan Peralta, initially told Glendale police he was trying to rush his children to the hospital. But in addition to the smell alcohol on his breath, officers arrested him on suspicion of drunk driving when they found six Budweiser beer cans inside his youngest daughter’s diaper bag.

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge on Tuesday forbade Peralta from driving with any minors until notified by the court, according to Glendale police. He must also stay away from his children.

Peralta was stopped by police Friday when he allegedly failed to pull over after hitting a Volkswagen at about 1:07 p.m. on Brand Boulevard near California Avenue.

He was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and child endangerment, but had remained in custody until Tuesday in lieu of $100,000 bail, according to police. The ages of his two daughters were not immediately available.

The girls’ mother was also in the car at the time of the incident, and not wearing a seat belt, officers reported.